Carol Nolan warns rural Ireland faces devastation from no-deal Brexit
Carol Nolan warned that recent UK developments, notably the Internal Market Bill, expose Ireland's vulnerability and make a hard no-deal Brexit a real possibility. She urged diversification of Irish export markets and prioritising new trade opportunities to protect rural Ireland and the wider economy.
Main warning
The deputy said the Internal Market Bill and the EU's willingness to pursue legal action against the UK have increased delays and conflict in negotiations. Nolan argued this dynamic raises the likelihood of a hard, no-deal Brexit and amplifies the risks facing Ireland.
Impact on rural economy
Nolan warned of a devastating impact on Ireland, particularly the rural economy. She cited Tchagask's assessment that this Brexit scenario would cause loss of preferential market access to the UK and a decline in Irish EU exports to the UK, and that agricultural output volume is expected to fall due to lower farm prices.
Policy prescription
To compensate for the economic shock, Nolan insisted Irish export options must be diversified. She said the opening of new trade opportunities should be a top priority to protect farmers and rural communities.
Urgency and long-term consequences
Nolan stressed that time is running out and emphasised the need for immediate action. Without diversification and new markets, she warned rural Ireland and the entire Irish economy could face profound difficulties that might take a generation to resolve.
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Minister, recent developments in the UK with respect to the Internal Market Bill have exposed just how vulnerable Ireland remains in the evolving and unpredictable nature of the Brexit drama. We also know that the EU has expressed a willingness to engage in legal action against the UK because of the position that it has adopted. This approach, while understandable, will however add to the delays and the sense of conflict that continues to dominate the end stage of current negotiations. This is why a hard, no-deal Brexit now, unfortunately, looks like a very real possibility. Simply put, we are running out of time. This will have a devastating impact on Ireland and particularly on the rural economy. According to Tchagask, this version of Brexit will cause loss of preferential market access to the UK, as well as leading to a decline in Irish EU exports to the UK. To compensate for this and to compensate for the damage that the resulting economic shock will bring about, we need to ensure, as Tchagask have noted, that Irish export options are diversified. This has to be a particular priority, because it is expected that Irish agriculture output volume will decline due to lower farm prices. We must work to create alternative market options and the opening of new trade opportunities has to be a top priority. Without this, rural Ireland, and by extension, the entire Irish economy will enter a period of profound difficulties that might take a generation to resolve. Thank you. Thank you.
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